College Football's Secret Sayings: A Primer for the Uninitiated

In college football, there is a language inside the normal usage of words. There are a handful of key phrases that more accurately describe from one true fan to another what has happened.

This communication device is most often found in your living room or in the stands. There is rarely any written description of these words and phrases, it is something fans simply come to understand over a period of time.

With best intentions, let us explore a number of these mysterious sayings and the reasoning behind them. 

A) Coinuhh–Extraordinarily talented smaller defender who can shut down the best pass receiver of the opponent. Used in "Now that's a coinuhh!"

B) Heelhitchu– Powerful Linebacker or Safety who can tackle in the open field and stop the third-and-one play.

C) Hezeouttashape– Term used when your defensive lineman fails to make a tackle on a running back in the fourth quarter.

D) Humdinger– Could be one of two activities. Either a close, well-played game or a very long punt.

E) Fool– A player or fan who realizes the television camera is upon them.

F) NoKneedTwoPanic– Statement delivered by you to family or friends when your team is trailing by 14 points in either of the first two quarters.

G) I Can't Help It– Apology delivered by you to family members following inappropriate language, normally preceded by a loss on the play by your team.

H) Hung Out To Dry– Description of a receiver stretching out to make a catch from a quarterback you don't think should be playing.

I) Just Touch Him– Derogatory term applied to a highly recruited runner of your opponent to describe how easily he can be tackled and brought to the ground.

J) Get In There– An analysis of your team's pass rush in the fourth quarter.

K) Linen On The Field– Term describing the effect of a great runner faking out a defender who was trying to make a tackle.

L) Laundry On The Field– Term describing the penalty called for the holding by offensive lineman that allowed the great runner to be in the open field.

M) Zero Chance– Lament exhaled by fans when their team is trailing in the fourth quarter, a screen pass is thrown, and the receiver is tackled for a loss.

N) I Don't Know What He Was Thinking– An incomplete pass on third-and-two.

O) Done Petered Out– Multiple uses. Often describes either a former breakaway runner who has lost a step due to injuries or a second straight loss late in the season.